Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs, Khawja Attaullah Taunsa Sharif on Tuesday said that more than 60,000 pilgrims have returned from Saudi Arabia after performing Hajj and the rest will be back to home by January 25, 2008.
Addressing a press conference here, he said that 159,736 pilgrims went to perform Hajj out of which 79,588 performed Hajj under government scheme while 80,148 through the private Hajj organisers. He said 595 private Hajj organisers were selected by the Ministry to send pilgrims under private scheme.
The minister informed that 363 buildings were hired by the Ministry in Makkah, adding that White and Green categories of accommodation were made based on distance from Haram Sharif and condition of building.
The White category buildings were at distance of up to 1,500 meters with rent ceiling of SR 1,800 while Green category buildings were at distance of 1,300 meters with rent ceiling of SR 2500, he added.
About complaints against the accommodation, he said a monitoring team, comprising 40 officials, was deployed to address the complaints and problems faced by the pilgrims. He, however, said that the ministry has so far not received any written complaint but assured to take strict action in case of any grievance.
About Parliamentarian quota, he said the parliamentarian quota, including the Governors, Chief Minister, Federal Ministers was retained while the labour quota of 500 seats remained the same as per last year. Khawaja Attaullah said that Pakistan International Airlines airlifted about 67,527 under government scheme while 12,061 were sent by Saudi Airline. He said the pilgrims were allowed to carry 10 litre cans of Aab-e-Zam Zam on their own. PIA arranged free wrapping and free transportation.
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